Learn More About Peace Corps

Peace Corps in Philippines

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Welcome to Peace Corps Philippines.

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Senator John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to promote peace and friendship. He called on American youth to give back to their country by living and working in developing countries.

Peace Corps’ mission has three goals:

  • Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women
  • Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
  • Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans

Peace Corps Philippines is the organization’s second oldest program. In October 1961, 130 Volunteers started assignments as teachers of English language, mathematics, and science. Since then, more than 8,000 Volunteers have served in the Philippines.

Country Information

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Philippines

  • Capital City – Manila
  • Official Language – Tagalog
  • Recognized Regional Languages –Bikol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilokano, Pampango, Pangasinense, Waray
  • Area (KM2) – Land 299,764 km2 [2](72nd) 115,831 sq mi; Water (%) 0.61%[4] (inland waters)
  • Population – 91,983,000 (2009 estimate)
  • GDP – US$ 350.501 billion (2009 estimate)
  • Currency –Peso (Filipino: piso) (PHP)

In the 1970s, Peace Corps Philippines focused on Social and Economic Development in rural areas. Volunteers worked in health and nutrition, appropriate technology, water sanitation, agricultural extension, marketing cooperatives, fisheries, income generation, agro-forestry, upland community development, vocational education, special education of the deaf, local development planning, and small business development. From the mid-1980s until 1990, Volunteers were assigned to high schools as teacher trainers. Simultaneously other Volunteers had assignments in health, agriculture, fisheries, agro-forestry, income generation, and local development planning.

At present Peace Corps supports the development of the Philippines four areas : Education; Children, Youth and Family; Coastal Resource Management; and Disaster Management. Peace Corps Volunteers are engaged in English co-teaching, life-skills education, basic literacy activities, coastal resource assessments, marine protected area establishment, supporting system and process development for effective disaster management.